Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries (2024)

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Easy roasted acorn squash recipe topped with an utterly delicious mixture of butter, walnuts and cranberries. Jump to theRoasted Acorn Squash with Walnuts and Cranberries Recipeor read on to see our tips for making it.

We love this roasted acorn squash recipe. It’s easy. Simply cut the squash into wedges the brushwith olive oil and season with brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Bake for about 1 hour then serve the roasted squash with a mixture of melted butter, walnuts and cranberries spooned on top.

For more easy winter squash recipes, check out our Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash, our Parmesan Lemon Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chicken, Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and ourHomemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, review it, and don’t forget to tag a photo#inspiredtasteon Instagram. Happy cooking!

Recipe updated, originally posted November2010. Since posting this in 2010, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear. – Adam and Joanne

(9)

Leave a review

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries

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PREP 15mins
COOK 1hr
TOTAL 1hr 15mins

Roast acorn squash in the oven and top with butter, crunchy walnuts and sweet cranberries. It’s stunning on the table and everyone’s loved it.

Makes 8 servings

You Will Need

2 medium acorn squash

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

3 tablespoons brown sugar, maple syrup or honey

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions

1Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2Cut squash in half and use a spoon to scoop out all the seeds from the middle. Carefully cut each half into 2 wedges.

3Place the wedges into a large baking dish then brush all sides with the olive oil. Scatter the brown sugar evenly on top then season with salt and pepper. Bake until soft and caramelized around the edges, about 1 hour.

4When the squash has roasted, add the butter, walnuts and cranberries to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to bubble around the nuts then spoon over the squash.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values.

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste

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42 comments… Leave a Review

KarenOctober 25, 2023, 7:02 pm
Wow, this was delicious! What a great flavor combination. Thank you for the recipe!
Reply
DeeNovember 27, 2022, 7:40 am
Delicious,healthy and so easy! Made w pecans for Thanksgiving, and roasted squashes in halves (took 30 min). We didn’t eat the skin – just scooped out the tasty and pretty insides. Added maple syrup to the butter mixture rather than when roasting. Will definitely make again!
Reply
EmyOctober 4, 2019, 12:49 pm
I loved this recipe! I got an acorn squash in my farm box and didn’t know where to start. I added a little syrup to the butter/nut topping to sweeten it up a bit more, and roasted the seeds, too!
Reply
EllenJuly 12, 2018, 1:39 pm
Silly question…..do I place the squash with the cut side facing up or down. Thank you as this sound delicious!
Reply
- JoanneJuly 27, 2018, 1:28 pm
  Both will work, but in our photos, we have cut-side facing up.
  Reply
RheaJuly 1, 2018, 1:58 pm
Greetings! I purchased acorn squash in November for Thanksgiving but, they didn’t reach the dinner table. Christmas was upon us, I made Acorn Squash Bread, and saved the seeds. In April I put the seeds in the yard for the birds. In return I got several squash plants. In June the plants began produce. This Roasted Acorn Squash w/walnuts and cranberries made it to dinner table four times in four weeks.
Reply
VeroFebruary 23, 2018, 4:44 am
Delicious and so easy. We all loved it. Five Big Stars.
Reply
Alicia OliverNovember 23, 2017, 6:35 am
I have all ingredients, except Walnuts! Would you make it with only cranberries, or roast with butter and the brown sugar only?
Reply
- JoanneNovember 23, 2017, 12:03 pm
  The squash will be great with the cranberries, butter and brown sugar.
  Reply
LynnNovember 22, 2017, 5:33 pm
Hello. This looks perfect for my vegetarian Thanksgiving. Dumb question… & I pray you can answer quickly, because it is Thanksgiving Eve!… is the “shell” of the squash edible?? I’ve always assumed it’s not! The photo appears to include the rind. Please reply! Thank you.
Reply
- AdamNovember 22, 2017, 10:36 pm
  Hi Lynn, the skin is definitely edible but depending on who is eating it they may prefer to leave the rind on the plate.
  Reply
RebekahNovember 21, 2017, 12:22 am
Is there anyway to make ahead?
Reply
- JoanneNovember 22, 2017, 4:16 pm
  Hi Rebekah, Yes, this can be made ahead of time then reheated before serving. You might want to roast the squash ahead of time then make the butter-walnut mixture just before serving.
  Reply
PatNovember 18, 2017, 11:22 am
Any suggestions on a substitute for the butter on the topping for allergy/intollerence for milk?
Reply
- JoanneNovember 20, 2017, 6:53 pm
  Coconut oil, walnut oil or an olive oil would be nice.
  Reply
- Terry PeikonJanuary 7, 2018, 4:19 pm
  Earth Balance vegan ‘butter’, for the butter flavor, might work also.
  Reply
JanetNovember 13, 2017, 9:08 pm
I baked the squash in my convection oven and the halves were tender in 35 mins. Added a little fresh parmesan on top which gave a nice salted contrast to the sweetness. Great recipe.
Reply
Mary O.November 12, 2017, 8:55 am
It’s hard to find vegetarian dishes for one. This recipe was perfect for me and I got two meals out of it! It was more delicious than I had expected it to be. Thank you so much!
Reply
KateOctober 9, 2015, 7:10 pm
Just made this for dinner! Eating is as I’m typing! SOOO good.
Reply
kirstinNovember 11, 2012, 8:41 pm
I’ll have to double or triple this recipe for thanksgiving. what would that do to the cooking time?
Reply
- AdamNovember 12, 2012, 8:38 pm
  Hi there! As long as you keep the squash in one layer, the cooking time should be about the same. If you are using two baking sheets/two oven racks, you might want to rotate halfway through cooking to make sure they cook evenly.
  Reply
  - kirstinNovember 14, 2012, 1:55 pm
    Thanks!
    Reply

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Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries (2024)

FAQs

Does acorn squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

Good news: you don't need to peel acorn squash. Its hard, grooved skin softens significantly as it cooks, and it's edible, too. If you do want to remove the skin, wait until after you cook it, at which point it will peel right off.

How do you cook Ina Garten acorn squash? ›

Place 1/2 tablespoon butter and ½ tablespoon maple syrup in the cavity of each squash. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle the squash with 3 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 40-60 minutes, depending on the size of the squash, until tender when pierced with a small knife.

Get More Info Here ›

How long does roasted acorn squash last in the fridge? ›

Cooked acorn squash can be sealed and refrigerated up to four days. Before freezing, acorn squash must be cooked.

How long to cook acorn squash in the oven at 350? ›

1. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a baking dish. 2. Bake in a 350°F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until tender.

Learn More ›

Is the skin of roasted acorn squash edible? ›

Acorn Squash: Whether cut into slices or stuffed and baked whole, acorn squash skin is totally tasty. When roasted, the skin becomes soft enough to eat by the forkful, For those who prefer it skin-free, the meat separates from the peel easily after cooking.

Read The Full Story ›

Do you cut acorn squash side up or down? ›

After the acorn squash is cut in half and scooped to remove the seeds, it can be cut into wedges or roasted or baked cut-side down. Roasting cut-side down allows for the subtle caramelization of the flesh and it's just divine.

Discover More Details ›

Can you eat the green skin on acorn squash? ›

Yes, You Can Eat the Skin of Acorn Squash and Other Winter Squashes—Here's How. Some varieties, like acorn squash and honeynut, have tender, tasty skin. Others, not so much.

Find Out More ›

How do you cook squash Jamie Oliver? ›

Rub the skin of the squash with a little oil, salt and pepper, and if you've got them, pat on any extra herb leaves you have to hand. Place the squash in the centre of a double layer of tin foil, then tightly wrap it up. Bake for around 2 hours, or until soft and cooked through.

Learn More ›

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Discover More ›

Can you eat acorn squash raw? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

Learn More Now ›

How can you tell if acorn squash is good or bad? ›

A squash with soft spots and is soft to the touch, is a sign that the squash has gone bad. And if it starts to leak fluid, that's a sure sign that the squash is spoiled. Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten.

Show Me More ›

Is the skin of acorn squash good for you? ›

One half of a four inch acorn squash when eaten with the skin meets 12% of your daily fiber needs, 11% of vitamin A, contains only 86 calories, 32% of daily vitamin C, and trace amounts of other important vitamins and minerals. Check out our quick reference guides for nutritional content in …

Read On ›

Can you eat acorn squash skin raw? ›

Technically, all winter squash skin is edible. "It's just a question of texture. There's no danger in consuming the skin—some just taste better than others," says Romano.

Show Me More ›

How do you remove the skin from acorn squash? ›

Use a knife or a serrated peeler to slice off the softened skin. It is best to start with the raised ridges and then move to the valleys of the squash. Once completely peeled, you can then cut off the stem, slice in half, and gut the acorn squash as needed for your recipe.

Get More Info ›

Should squash be peeled before roasting? ›

You don't have to peel it before roasting. That's right. You do not have to suffer through peeling an entire slippery butternut squash if you're going to roast it. The skin is perfectly safe to eat, and it's hardly noticeable after a nice roast in a hot oven.

Explore More ›